A rescue of the four-legged kind ensued last night, as coastguards were called out to help a dog that had fallen over a cliff near Bridport.

Following an earlier incident, the coastguard team headed for Seatown, where the dog was trapped around halfway down the cliff, West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team said.

Along with officers from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service's (DWFRS) rope rescue team, a rescue plan was put into action - however, the dog 'had no intention of being rescued', the coastguard said, and instead 'preferred to run away from its rescuer at every opportunity.'

Back-up from the Lyme Regis coastguard team arrived and officers set up a rope rescue system further up the cliff to try and box the dog in and force it back towards the fire service team.

A coastguard spokesman said: "After a long period of coaxing, the dog finally accepted defeat and was safely captured and reunited with its very appreciative owners.

"It was a busy day on the coast, and a rare opportunity to work with the fire service and their rope rescue team.

"Special thanks goes out to the Anchor Inn at Seatown for providing the emergency services with a very welcome hot drink."

The coastguard advises you stay safe on the coast but if you find yourself in difficulty, or if you are concerned for others, do not hesitate to dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.

The incident followed dramatic scenes earlier that day, where coastguards rescued five people and a dog caught out by tide.